The knot of Legionnaires laughed appreciatively but briefly, as each leaned forward in eagerness to be next.
“Talk about hard duty,” Super Gnat proclaimed, beating the others off the line. “My second assignment or was it my third? … whatever! Anyway, the CO had a real thing against short people, and, of course, the only way I get to play basketball is if they use me for the ball. So she calls me into her office one day and says-“
“I’ll tell you what rough duty is!”
Annoyed at the interruption in midstory, the group glanced up to find Lieutenant Armstrong weaving his way unsteadily in their direction.
“It … isn’t a matter of where you stand duty or what you’ve gotta do. When you’re serving under a freaking ghost … and that ghost is your … father and one of the most highly decorated soldiers ever, then you … gotta spend your whole life trying to prove you’re one tenth as good as everyone says he was. That’s rough duty! I only wish the sonofabitch had stayed alive long enough to make a mistake.”
The Legionnaires glanced at each other uncomfortably as Armstrong tried to get his lips and glass coordinated.
“Umm … don’t you think it’s time you got some sleep, Lieutenant?” Brandy said carefully, breaking the silence.
Armstrong peered at her owlishly, blinking fiercely as he tried to get his eyes in focus.
“You’re … right, Sergeant Brandy. Mustn’t say or do anything unbecom … unbecoming an officer. I … think I’ll get some fresh air first, though. Good … night, everybody. “